I'm planning an upgrade to my electrical system which includes a new Xantrex 10Tb and would very much like to use AGM's for House/Starter. My question is about the AGM's generally available from BatteriesPlus. They have the Werker label which I understand is exclusive to BatteriesPlus and they are ~20% less than the Lifelines. Anyone used any Werkers before for ANY application? TIA
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BatteriesPlus fine to date
I bought a Werker house and an Optima marine starting battery from BatteriesPlus at the beginning of the 2005 season. Both are AGMs. They were willing to order the Lifeline for me, but had the Werker in stock. I also have a Xantrex 10Tb. Both batteries have worked fine for two seasons so far. Never had a let down. I run ST40 speed & depth gauges from the house while sailing, and cabin lights and various gadgets (fans, laptops, etc.) while moored. The outboard charges for about 1/2 hour per day during travel to and from the slip. I also charge through shore power about twice a season. Boat is used about 20 times per year, and the batteries are on maintenance chargers during storage. Assuming a reasonable duration before replacement, I'll go back to BatteriesPlus. Hope this helps.
I bought a Werker house and an Optima marine starting battery from BatteriesPlus at the beginning of the 2005 season. Both are AGMs. They were willing to order the Lifeline for me, but had the Werker in stock. I also have a Xantrex 10Tb. Both batteries have worked fine for two seasons so far. Never had a let down. I run ST40 speed & depth gauges from the house while sailing, and cabin lights and various gadgets (fans, laptops, etc.) while moored. The outboard charges for about 1/2 hour per day during travel to and from the slip. I also charge through shore power about twice a season. Boat is used about 20 times per year, and the batteries are on maintenance chargers during storage. Assuming a reasonable duration before replacement, I'll go back to BatteriesPlus. Hope this helps.
Why AGM vs GELs
Clark: I am just curious on why you have decided to go with AGM vs GEL's. I just went through this and asked the battery dist which they recommended. The final outcome was the fact the GEL's have a longer life than AGM's. AGM's provide more power. I am using an Optima for a starter and GEL's for housekeeping. Do some research before you make your final decision. The spec's for the 10tb do not include an AGM setting from what I see. Truecharge 10/10TB 10 amp DC output Microprocessor controlled, multistage charging Charges up to two battery banks simultaneously (Truecharge 10TB) Covered terminal block with screw terminals for safe and easy connection (Truecharge 10TB) Easy battery connection with clip leads (Truecharge 10) Three settings for temperature compensation (Truecharge 10) Settings for flooded or gel lead-acid batteries Wide voltage range operation (90-135 VAC, 50/60 Hz) Automatic 21-day top-up program
Clark: I am just curious on why you have decided to go with AGM vs GEL's. I just went through this and asked the battery dist which they recommended. The final outcome was the fact the GEL's have a longer life than AGM's. AGM's provide more power. I am using an Optima for a starter and GEL's for housekeeping. Do some research before you make your final decision. The spec's for the 10tb do not include an AGM setting from what I see. Truecharge 10/10TB 10 amp DC output Microprocessor controlled, multistage charging Charges up to two battery banks simultaneously (Truecharge 10TB) Covered terminal block with screw terminals for safe and easy connection (Truecharge 10TB) Easy battery connection with clip leads (Truecharge 10) Three settings for temperature compensation (Truecharge 10) Settings for flooded or gel lead-acid batteries Wide voltage range operation (90-135 VAC, 50/60 Hz) Automatic 21-day top-up program
Re: Gel vs AGM . . .
Steve, The 10Tb does use the same switch selection for Gel and AGM (according to the manual I downloaded). I have done a lot of reading here and elsewhere and just thought that the AGM's would be a little more robust than the gels and work better in the simple configuration I had envisioned. They also cost a bit less. What charger/house/starting combinations do you have? Isn't the Optima an AGM? BTW, I've calculated that I need about 150 AH (2 group 24's in parallel) for my house to suit existing and expected loads. Thanks for helping me think through this. P.S. I have an H280 with the 2GM20F inboard; stock alternator.
Steve, The 10Tb does use the same switch selection for Gel and AGM (according to the manual I downloaded). I have done a lot of reading here and elsewhere and just thought that the AGM's would be a little more robust than the gels and work better in the simple configuration I had envisioned. They also cost a bit less. What charger/house/starting combinations do you have? Isn't the Optima an AGM? BTW, I've calculated that I need about 150 AH (2 group 24's in parallel) for my house to suit existing and expected loads. Thanks for helping me think through this. P.S. I have an H280 with the 2GM20F inboard; stock alternator.
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